Canton: All-area senior running back Quinton Reed relaxed and ready to play

Thursday

Aug 28, 2014 at 4:30 AM

Lonnie Schwindenhammer of the Journal Star

CANTON -- After spending most of his youth in southern California, and for a time in Tacoma, Wash., coming to Canton was a culture shock for Quinton Reed.

“All I’ve ever been around are tall building and cities that just go on and on,” he said. “I had never even visited a place like Canton before we moved here.”

Reed arrived at Canton during the second semester of his sophomore year. His father, a member of the military, had been transferred.

“Now that I’ve been here a while I’ve really grown to like this place,” Reed said. “It’s peaceful, quiet and laid back. All I worry about is going to class and playing football.”

Reed last season officially joined the Canton football team in Week 3, and went on to lead the Little Giants with 856 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. He was second team all-conference in the Mid-Illini and honorable-mention all-area with the Journal Star.

“I did alright as far as yards and touchdowns, but we didn’t do as well (2-7) as we could have,” Reed said. “The football here is good but it’s just different than what I’ve grown up with. I played when I was younger with several guys who now are (Division I college) recruits. One of my friends I played with is going to play at (Southern California).”

Reed grew up in Temecula, Calif., located just south of Los Angeles. He moved to Tacoma and played junior-varsity football there as a freshman. As a sophomore he returned to Temecula and enrolled there at Chaparral High, but was ruled ineligible to play because of the transfer.

“I’ve always considered myself a football player,” Reed said. “To just sit and watch, I was devastated.”

The Reeds moved to Canton for the second semester of that school year.

Ryan Pearson is in his first season as coach for the Little Giants.

“He’s as good a running back as I’ve ever been associated with,” said Pearson, the onetime offensive coordinator at Pontiac. “He’s been a fantastic kid for us, and he’s certainly got the size, speed and moves that college coaches look for in a running back.”

Reed, about 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, this season also will play some at safety for Canton.

His junior campaign ended with two touchdown runs and 198 yards rushing in a Week 9 loss to unbeaten Mid-Illini champion Washington.

“I feel like I’m just as good as some of the (college-bound) players I grew up with in California and I’m out to prove that this season,” Reed said.

Canton last season ended a 16-game losing streak with a win over Illinois Valley Central on opening night and snapped a 33-game skid in the Mid-Illini with a home win over Morton. Pearson is Canton’s third head coach in as many seasons, and has about 35 seniors and juniors among about 95 kids in the program. A new look for the Little Giants will be a no-huddle jet offense.

the fact

Canton’s 2-7 record last season represented its most wins since going 4-5 in 2008 under coach Chuck Wright. Canton’s most recent playoffs appearance was under Wright in 2005.

the big game

Week 1 against visiting IVC: Both come in with 4A playoffs aspirations.

the quote

“Two wins here last year was a big deal, and I get the sense our kids think that was only the tip of the iceberg.” — Ryan Pearson

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